Modern city life meets traditional culture.

Abu Dhabi offers a fascinating mixture of modern city life and traditional culture. Located just off the mainland on an island in the Arabian Gulf, the Emirati capital will enrich the senses with the smells of shisha cafés, the sounds of haggling in the souks, and the contrasting sights of skyscrapers next to classical mosques. Abu Dhabi is certainly succeeding in pushing boundaries with impressive architecture and spectacular landmarks, and once you visit this fascinating city, you’ll want to return again and again.

See the sights

With so much to see and do in Abu Dhabi, you’ll need at least a few days to cover the main attractions. Featured on the must-see list are iconic landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Abu Dhabi Louvre, the UAE Pavilion and the Emirates Palace. Meanwhile, traditional examples of architecture range from the Zayed Centre, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, Al Maqta Fort and Watchtower, as well as the first building to be established in Abu Dhabi - Qasr Al Hosn fort. There’s a whole host of interesting museums and art galleries on offer too.

Just a short trip from the city is the Mangrove National Park on the northeast coast. This tranquil area is brimming with wildlife, such as turtles, shrimps, migrating birds and several fish species.

Beaches and activities

The city is lucky enough to have water on all sides, and 5 star Abu Dhabi hotels make the best of every beach. Corniche Beach provides wonderful vistas across the sea and is the ideal place for an evening stroll along the promenade. Other popular areas include the pristine sands of Saadiyat Beach with its nearby nature sanctuary, and the lively Yas Beach, where you can enjoy a cold beer while relaxing in a cabana.

There’s plenty for thrill-seekers too. To get your adrenaline-fix, you can drive around the Formula One circuit or ride on the fastest rollercoaster in the world at Ferrari World. Abu Dhabi offers a wide range of water activities, from kayaking and sailing to sunset cruises. Alternatively, explore the desert with a camel ride across the dunes or go on an evening safari followed by a campfire dinner under the starlit skies.

A shopper’s delight

All Abu Dhabi luxury holidays should include a spot retail therapy, and the city certainly has a lot to offer shoppers. Haggle with traders in the traditional souks, where you can browse everything from hand-woven carpets, silks, jewellery, copper pots and pans. Alternatively, head to one of the many modern malls, where boutique stores house the latest fashion and accessories.

On Yas Island, the market is the perfect place to see local crafts, while the World Trade Centre Souk is on the site of the original Abu Dhabi souk and is well worth a visit. For a truly unique sight, take a trip to Madinet Zayed Shopping and Gold Centre, where all of Abu Dhabi’s glittering gold shops are housed under the same roof.

Azure luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi offer only the very best in stylish and sumptuous accommodation. To find out more about our high quality holidays, don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone or live chat.

where to stay

The city is lucky enough to have water on all sides, and 5 star Abu Dhabi hotels make the best of every beach.

Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort

Immerse yourself in nature at the fabulous Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort. Situated in the very heart of the Arabian Wildlife Park on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island, the rolling savannahs, undulating hills and abundance of flora and fauna are guaranteed to take your breath away.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas

From the impressive Arabian Desert to the astounding Saadiyat coastline, you’ll be spellbound by the fantastic scenery surrounding Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. Enjoy world-class service, comfortable and elegant accommodation and miles of glorious beach at this blissful, Saadiyat Island retreat.

Emirates Palace Hotel

With its majestic façade, 1.3 kilometres of white sands and its own private marina, you’ll feel like royalty while staying at the Emirates Palace Hotel. Enjoy spectacular views, unrivalled hospitality and exquisite cuisine at this outstanding Abu Dhabi resort.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa

Located on Abu Dhabi’s waterfront, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa is part of a marina, retail and residential development that brings together the very best of the Emirati capital. Traditional Arabian architecture, lush scenery, luxury accommodation and fine food make this resort an urban sanctuary to really relish.

Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort

You’ll be amazed by the rolling dunes and rugged desert landscape surrounding you at the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. Situated in Rub’Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert on earth, a stay at this fantastic resort is an experience you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa

Combining stunning turquoise ocean with awe-inspiring desert landscapes, the Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa is located on the northern coast of the Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Exceptional luxury coupled with world-class service and a choice of fantastic activities will guarantee a holiday you’ll never forget.

our travellers' journeys

Find out what our clients have to say about their experiences

We have been using Azure to arrange our holidays for over 12 years. Every year usually twice a year, sometimes more, we rely on the experienced team at Chester to provide expert information on our chosen destinations. Be it a return to our established favorites in Barbados and Dubai or a new and exiting destination chosen from Azures brochure it is always handled in a friendly and competent manner. The small details are not missed such as do we need late check out or early arrival, which can make such a difference after sometimes long hours travelling.
For us using Azure takes the uncertainty out of booking holidays.

We have been booking our holidays through Azure for 10 years and we can thoroughly recommend them.
The Azure team arrange amazing holidays, well chosen destinations and hotels with a tailored itinerary that runs like clockwork with so many wonderful extras, it really takes the time and stress out of planning. When the weather has disrupted our journeys, their 24 hour service has provided us with 5* rescues!
Nothing is too much trouble for Azure staff and the same goes for all the staff we have met on our Azure holidays which really are out of this world.
We continue to recommend your company and all your wonderful team and look forward to our next holiday with you.

My first experience with Azure was when they came to my rescue when my family and I were stranded abroad on holiday without accommodation, their professionalism and ability to make things happen at very very short notice was second to none.
They were very knowledgeable and were able to utilise their many relationships within the industry to get things resolved for me within an hour. I can't praise them enough for rescuing my family's holiday and making it a truly memorable time.
Since then the team always do their best to make my holidays the best they can possibly be based on their own vast travel knowledge and experiences. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and wouldn't use anyone else for luxurious travel.